What is the best thing to eat when you are malnourished? A guide to nutritional recovery

October 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition is a broad term that includes both undernutrition and overnutrition, and affects people in all countries. Therefore, understanding what is the best thing to eat when you are malnourished is crucial for safely restoring your health, as it requires a gradual reintroduction of nutrient-dense foods.

Quick Summary

The best approach for nutritional recovery is to begin refeeding with small, frequent meals and snacks that are high in calories, protein, and essential micronutrients. It is vital to fortify everyday foods and consider oral nutritional supplements to restore depleted stores while under medical supervision.

Key Points

Start Slowly: For severe malnutrition, begin refeeding gradually under medical supervision to prevent refeeding syndrome, a dangerous metabolic shift.
Focus on Nutrient Density: Choose foods and drinks that are high in calories, protein, and essential micronutrients to maximize intake, as appetite may be low.
Fortify Everyday Foods: Add extra calories and protein to regular meals by mixing in full-fat dairy, nut butters, butter, or skimmed milk powder.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals: Aim for 3 small meals and 2-3 nutritious snacks daily to make eating more manageable and increase overall intake.
Prioritize Protein: Include a source of protein like meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or lentils in every meal to support muscle building and tissue repair.
Incorporate Healthy Fats: Add healthy, calorie-dense fats from sources like avocado, nuts, seeds, and full-fat dairy to boost energy.
Consider Supplements: Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) or protein powders may be necessary if dietary intake alone is insufficient, under a doctor's recommendation.

Understanding Malnutrition and the Refeeding Process

Malnutrition is a serious condition that occurs when a person's diet does not provide enough nutrients for their body's needs. This can happen from a variety of causes, including poverty, certain medical conditions, or eating disorders. For individuals suffering from malnutrition, starting the recovery process, or 'refeeding,' requires careful medical supervision, especially in severe cases. The primary risk is refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal metabolic complication that can occur if nutrition is reintroduced too quickly after a period of starvation. Therefore, the best thing to eat when you are malnourished involves a slow, strategic approach focusing on nutrient-dense foods and professional guidance.

The Critical Initial Stage: Preventing Refeeding Syndrome

For those with severe malnutrition, the initial refeeding stage must be handled by a healthcare professional, as it requires precise management of electrolytes like phosphate, potassium, and magnesium. During this period, food intake is cautiously increased, often starting with lower caloric intake and progressing gradually over several days to weeks. Foods during this phase may be liquid or soft to ease digestion and often include sources high in phosphate, such as dairy products. Vitamin supplementation, particularly thiamine, may also be prescribed to prevent neurological complications. This slow and steady start is paramount to avoiding severe complications that can impact heart function and fluid balance.

Building up Nutritional Intake: Calorie- and Protein-Dense Foods

Once past the initial stabilization phase, the goal is to increase overall energy and protein intake through a diet of frequent, small meals and snacks. The focus should be on nutrient-dense foods rather than low-calorie options.

High-Protein Foods: Protein is vital for rebuilding muscle tissue and repairing body functions. Excellent sources include:

Meat, fish, and poultry
Eggs and dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese
Legumes and beans
Nuts, seeds, and nut butters

Energy-Dense Foods: To increase calorie intake, incorporate healthy fats and carbohydrates:

Avocado
Full-fat dairy products
Cooked grains like rice and oats
Starchy vegetables like potatoes and yams

Fortifying Your Meals for Maximum Nutrition

One of the most effective strategies for recovery is fortifying your regular food and drinks with extra calories and protein. This maximizes nutrient intake without increasing meal volume, which can be difficult for someone with a small appetite.

Fortifying Drinks:

Add skimmed milk powder to full-fat milk for a protein- and calorie-rich drink.
Make milkshakes or smoothies with full-fat yogurt, milk, and fruit.
Blend protein powders into juices or milk.

Fortifying Meals:

Stir grated cheese into mashed potatoes, sauces, and soups.
Add extra butter or cream to vegetables and porridge.
Mix peanut butter, nuts, or seeds into cereals and yogurts.
Include extra meat, beans, or lentils in stews and casseroles.

Comparison Table: High-Calorie & High-Protein Foods


Food Item	Primary Benefit	Fortification Potential	Notes
Full-Fat Milk	Protein & Calcium	Add skimmed milk powder, use in shakes	Use in coffee, tea, or with cereal.
Eggs	High-Quality Protein	Scramble with fortified milk and cheese	Versatile for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Greek Yogurt	High Protein & Probiotics	Mix with nuts, seeds, or dried fruit	Can be a snack or dessert option.
Nut Butters	Calories & Healthy Fats	Spread thickly on toast or crackers	Also provides fiber and protein.
Avocado	Healthy Fats & Nutrients	Add to salads or use in smoothies	High in potassium and vitamin E.
Cooked Rice	Calorie-Dense Carbohydrate	Top with butter and cheese or add to soups	A good source of energy for weight gain.
Cheese	Protein, Calcium, & Fat	Grate over savory dishes, add to sandwiches	Use full-fat varieties for maximum calories.

Sample Daily Meal Plan

Breakfast (8:00 AM): Fortified porridge made with full-fat milk and skimmed milk powder, topped with a sliced banana and a handful of nuts.
Mid-Morning Snack (11:00 AM): A small bowl of full-fat Greek yogurt mixed with dried fruit.
Lunch (1:00 PM): A chicken and cheese sandwich on whole-wheat bread with mayonnaise, served with a creamy soup fortified with added milk powder.
Afternoon Snack (4:00 PM): A glass of fortified milk and a handful of cheese crackers.
Dinner (7:00 PM): Mashed potatoes fortified with butter, full-fat milk, and grated cheese, served with a portion of fish or chicken.
Evening Snack (9:00 PM): A thick milkshake made with full-fat milk, a scoop of ice cream, and protein powder.

Long-Term Recovery and Professional Support

Throughout the recovery process, consistent monitoring by a healthcare professional is essential. A registered dietitian can create a personalized meal plan that accounts for specific nutritional deficiencies and potential health complications. Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) may be recommended, particularly for individuals who find it difficult to consume enough calories and protein through food alone. These come in various forms, including liquids and puddings, and can be a vital tool for ensuring adequate intake. Always consult a doctor or dietitian before making significant dietary changes during recovery. For more information on dietary management, refer to this useful resource: Australian Prescriber's article on Malnutrition and Nutritional Supplements.

Conclusion

For a person wondering what is the best thing to eat when you are malnourished, the answer lies in a carefully managed approach focusing on gradual reintroduction of nutrient-dense foods. Prioritizing small, frequent meals rich in calories, protein, and fortified with additional nutrients is key. The recovery process must be overseen by a healthcare provider to prevent serious complications like refeeding syndrome. By following professional guidance and incorporating these strategic dietary practices, individuals can safely and effectively restore their health and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Refeeding syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by a sudden shift in metabolism when nutrition is rapidly reintroduced to a severely malnourished individual. It can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances, heart issues, and other complications.

Yes, some energy-dense foods typically considered 'unhealthy' in a standard diet, such as full-fat dairy and extra oils, can be recommended temporarily to increase calorie intake and aid weight gain during malnutrition recovery.

To increase calories without feeling full, focus on fortifying foods. This involves adding calorie-dense ingredients like butter, cream, or cheese to existing meals and choosing energy-rich drinks like smoothies over low-calorie options.

Good sources of protein for recovery include lean meats, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, and dairy products like cheese and Greek yogurt. A mix of sources ensures a broad range of amino acids.

Vitamin and mineral supplementation is often recommended, but it should be done under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Excessive amounts of some supplements can be harmful. For severe cases, supplements may be given prior to and during refeeding.

Good high-calorie snacks include nuts and seeds, dried fruit, thick and creamy yogurts, cheese with crackers, and toast with peanut butter or cream cheese.

No, severe malnutrition requires close medical observation, especially during the initial refeeding phase, due to the risk of refeeding syndrome. Hospitalization or intensive outpatient monitoring is often necessary for safety.